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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You must read this engaging mystery!!, September 20, 2009
I absolutely LOVE this captivating mystery series!! "Treasure of the Golden Cheetah" is the fifth installment chronicling the exciting adventures of photojournalist Jade del Cameron in 1920's colonial East Africa. As the story begins, a Hollywood movie crew has assembled in Nairobi, Kenya. Jade has been hired to help escort the crew up Mount Kilimanjaro to begin filming the dramatization of an ancient tale, in which King Solomon's son, Menelik, has been buried on the mountain with his father's treasure. Her job is to supervise the troupe's actresses and keep them safe. Even before the group embarks, the film's producer is stabbed to death in a murder-suicide. The expedition is soon marked by sabotage, danger and intrigue. Jade unravels the mystery with the help of her pet Cheetah and a native friend. A surprize ending leaves me eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series. Ms. Arruda has brilliantly crafted a suspenseful plot and compelling characters that kept me enthralled until the very last page. The storyline is masterfully interwoven with fascinating African folklore and traditions. Her vivid descriptions and lush imagery paint an exquisite picture of the scenic beauty of the Kenyan countryside. I truly loved this entertaining book and I very highly recommend it!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Two Cheetahs in One, September 20, 2009
Normally, I am a fond fan of Suzanne Arruda's Jade Del Cameron mystery series, but I felt this fifth episode was not as up to par as the previous four books. The plot for this story of the Treasure of the Golden Cheetah was a bit on the sappy side and at times very melodramatic almost to the point of it being slightly unbearable.
Jade once again signs herself up for another dangerous adventure while accompanying her not so favorite man Harry Hascombe on a safari up to Mount Kilamanjaro with a movie crew who is filming an adventure motion picture about an African legend involving the treasure of King Menalik, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Harry asks Jade to be his second on this guided trip as he has many female actresses to baby-sit along with the guys of the film crew. Before the journey begins there is a murder, and once the hike up the mountain begins, two other murders and much mysterious mischief occurs. Poisoned snakes, stray bullets, mystical cheetahs, missing belongings and two men battling to win Jade's love have her once more playing Africa's favorite female detective. There is the usual abundance of action, the entire cast of regular characters making their appearance, and the reader does get the flavor of fun, humor, and the atmosphere of the African wilderness complete with lots of animals and the historic feel of the Nairobi area in the 1920s. Suzanne Arruda does a fabulous job of keeping the authenticity of Colonial Africa, and maintaining the interesting history, culture, and legends of the African native people.
The ongoing dilemma of Jade and her American boyfriend Sam Featherstone was another tidbit I was frustrated with. Jade's inability to make up her mind and get this love affair off the ground is getting old. My feeling is that the author needs to wrap up this loose end and move on to adding other intriguing elements of variety to the series if her plan is to continue writing more installments. One thing that I did enjoy more in this book was the additional appearance of Jade's pet cheetah, Biscuit. We all love the animals in this series and Biscuit's part is always an endearing one. To have him take a priority role for this story was a small joy. I feel that the previous four plots were more real and exciting and that this movie crew on location story was just too lame with whining characters that got tiresome quickly. This not so hot episode has certainly not turned me away from the series, I'm positive that the author will come back next year with another more likeable story for me. This may have been a case of just personal taste on a premise that didn't click with me, others might not agree and give it more stars.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jade Dithers on Kilimanjaro, November 13, 2009
In her fifth adventure, Jade del Cameron is still debating whether or not to accept the marriage proposal of American pilot, Sam Featherstone, when she lands a job as a safari guide. Both Sam and Jade are upset when they learn Jade's old acquaintance, Harry Hascombe, is leading the safari, but Jade refuses to back out, needing both the money and a paid trip to Kilimanjaro so she'll have material for magazine articles. Jade is surprised, but not upset, when her young friend Jelani stows away on the safari with her pet cheetah, Biscuit. She needs a friendly face in between skirmishes among the Hollywood actors on the safari and Harry's inappropriate comments. Jelani fears for Jade's life, especially after the movie's producer is murdered by a crazed native who turns a knife on himself. Someone needs to keep Jade safe from a murderer.
As their party treks up the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, more drama plays out among the movie actors than what goes on in front of the cameras. Their trip is also plagued by sabotage, and, when she intervenes in a catfight between native women, Jade is followed by a dangerous curse. Death is stalking their party, and while Jade untangles the murderous intrigue among the Hollywood safari-goers, Jelani makes it a full-time job to watch over her. Meanwhile, Sam learns some disturbing information about one of the safari party, and he tries desperately to reach Jade with a warning before it's too late.
Though there still has been no resolution of the relationship between Jade and Sam, there was some ink devoted to their thoughts on the matter. Jade has feelings for Sam, but fears being tied down as a wife and mother, while Sam admires her strength and courage but fears constantly for her safety. I confess I found their dithering on the subject distracting. Either Jade will marry Sam and continue her adventures with him, or she won't. I'm getting tired of waiting for the decision. The series would be all the better for developing their relationship and making Sam a permanent fixture, and I can imagine many intriguing plot lines that could be followed in this way. It is a tired cliché that adventure heroes must go solo, and since Sam was introduced a few books ago, one I hope this series will not adopt. That said, this is one of my favorite mystery series with an excellent locale and great characters. The mysteries are an intriguing combination of old-fashioned sleuthing mixed with African lore. The last two books suffered slightly with Jade and Sam's dithering, but it's a hump I hop the series will soon be over, and I impatiently await Jade's next mystery.
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